Small icebreakers of Project 22740 can be converted to run on LNG

Enhanced environmental control and introduction of new environmental standards necessitate looking into icebreaker of Project 22740 to use liquefied natural gas as a fuel, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Nikita Dedov, head of Fleet Department at Rosmorport’s Arkhangelsk Branch, when speaking at the “Shipbuilding in the Arctic” forum.

According to him, installation of dual-fuel engines on 6.4 MW icebreakers of Project 22740 will let using liquefied natural gas as an alternative fuel. The icebreaker is supposed to be put into operation in 2021.

Icebreakers of this class can escort convoys of vessels in challenging ice conditions including shallow waters, provide towing services and assistance in emergency situations.

“As of today, icebreaker assistance is provided by icebreakers of Projects 1105 and 1191 (River Register) built in Finland in 1977-1978 and in 1983-1986, - he said. – Conventional propulsion systems do not ensure icebreaking capability complying with Icebreaker6 class.”

According to the designers, icebreakers of Project 22740 will have an innovative propulsion unit which, together with the hull shape, will ensure the highest icebreaking capacity (about 1 meter) among the existing shallow-draft icebreakers.

However, conversion of those vessels to LNG entails additional challenges of the project implementation. For example, on-shore infrastructure for bunkering of vessels with LNG is required.

“Transportation of gas on the upper deck creates explosion-hazard areas. All equipment within such areas should be explosion-proof”, added nikita Dedov.

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